Nationals infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. has been suspended one game by Major League Baseball and fined an undisclosed amount for "aggressive actions" with umpire Ed Hickox during Friday night's game against the Padres.

Hairston has appealed the suspension and remains in the Nationals' starting lineup today.

"I had no clue … in my wildest dreams I would get suspended," he said. "That's why I'm appealing. If I did something wrong, guys, I would admit it. If I did something wrong, I'd step up. But I didn't push or shove him, and the video shows it."

The veteran utilityman, who turns 35 today, was ejected by Hickox in the seventh inning of Friday's 2-1 victory over after he complained San Diego left-hander Clayton Richard quick-pitched before he could get set in the batter's box. Hairston claims Hickox had granted him time out and did not let him reset himself in the box before Richard pitched.

Replays appear to show Hairston clearly re-establishing his position in the box and taking a practice swing before asking for time again, after Richard had already begun his delivery to the plate. Hairston wound up hitting a lazy fly ball to center field, though he never attempted toRead more »

Jerry Hairston is a good ball player who deserves some respect from the umpires. It also appears that the MLB beaurcrats are primarily enfranchised to represent the umpires in all circumstances, validity of player claims are immaterial.Jerry has done his best for the Nats this season in a somewhat thankless substitute role.When he was appealing to the umps, he was standing up for the team and the fans.

Once you are in the batter's box, and the umpire has signaled to the pitcher, the batter must be ready to swing. You'll see Derek Jeter hold his hand up to umpire until he gets set and, amazingly, the umps honor that. Jeter does that just to avoid quick pitches. Having said that, I agree that Jerry has a beef because Clayton Richard has a history of doing this and the umps should be aware of it and protect the batters.